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DPChallenge Forums >> Current Challenge >> Chickened out of Portrait - Need Feedback please!
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Showing posts 1 - 13 of 13, (reverse)
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03/15/2004 12:45:14 AM · #1
I have a friend who needed a portrait for an award he's getting, so I took some traditional style portrait shots for him (even though I don't have a real studio) and was planning to enter one in the portraits challenge.

In the end, I didn't think it would do well, partly because I haven't done this type of portrait before, and partly because I thought it was so ordinary it wouldn't appeal to the DPC voters.

But I learned from the exercise, and I would love to get some comment style feedback as to what I could have done better. Also, if you think there's any issues in using this for his award; it will be printed 8x10 and permanently hung at a university.

Thanks in advance... Neil

Here's a link:

03/15/2004 12:48:08 AM · #2
Too frozen,not much emotion ,5 from me!
03/15/2004 12:49:31 AM · #3
nice business like portrait.
not all portraits should have emotion. there are many different kinds of portraits. children's, documentary, business, emotive, etc.
nice technique.
03/15/2004 12:50:20 AM · #4
Left comments on the shot. Hope they help and you won't be offended. :)

Deannda
worked for a portrait Studio for 4 years
03/15/2004 01:57:21 AM · #5
Originally posted by Neuferland:

Left comments on the shot. Hope they help and you won't be offended. :)

Deannda
worked for a portrait Studio for 4 years


I read your critique for the shot and I think it was a very thoughtful critique that should be very helpful.

I agree, not all portrait shots have to be works of art. I had a heck of a time getting a business photo I liked. I'm a Realtor, and I'm always passing out business cards and business brochures.

Neil, I think you're on the right track!
03/15/2004 02:53:09 AM · #6
Looks more like a pic for a ID card, passport, drivers licence or something like that too me than a portrait. To be honest I think I would of gave it a 4.
03/15/2004 05:00:49 AM · #7
4 or 5 from me as well - too bland.

Wonder what the people here would give this

Larger version here, or anyone of these
03/15/2004 05:11:30 AM · #8
2 things...

Stay above eye level when shooting people. Look slightly down on them so they have to look up at you. It opens their eyes bigger so you can see the whites under the pupil. It also keeps you from seeing up their nose. Less dominating feeling too....

Another thing. You have the main light lighting the right side (his right side) of his face and the background light lighting the same side. For contrast, light the opposite side of the background from where you light his face. His light face against the dark side of the background and his dark side of his face against the light side of the background.
03/15/2004 07:55:26 AM · #9
I also posted a response on the pic page.

Here is what I wrote.

Well I with Neuferland on the first two. But I disagree
about the background. What I would have done IF using a
backlight is center it so that the background fade from the
middle out. It is distracting when it fades from left to right.
Also, turn his shoulders to about a 30-45 degree angle from the
lens, then turn his head directly at the lens. And last tilt
his head slightly forward. When done correctly it will make him
appear more relaxed.
Overall a decent shot though!

Message edited by author 2004-03-15 07:56:06.
03/15/2004 08:01:44 AM · #10


I didn't shoot this for the challenge but I considered entering it. Then I took a closer look and thought it was too much like a snapshot, with too many distracting elements. I took it with the kit lens. Really just testing the camera more than anything else. Comments welcome as always.

03/16/2004 08:51:57 AM · #11
Originally posted by tarique:

4 or 5 from me as well - too bland.

Wonder what the people here would give this

Larger version here, or anyone of these


I like the pose a lot; in the large version, I would have liked the lighting to be softer (less harsh). Also, some catchlights in the eyes.

Message edited by author 2004-03-16 08:52:44.
03/16/2004 08:54:03 AM · #12
Originally posted by orussell:



I didn't shoot this for the challenge but I considered entering it. Then I took a closer look and thought it was too much like a snapshot, with too many distracting elements. I took it with the kit lens. Really just testing the camera more than anything else. Comments welcome as always.


Good expression and capture overall; as you said, the bowl is distracting from this as a portrait.
03/16/2004 09:55:03 AM · #13
Originally posted by nshapiro:

Originally posted by orussell:



I didn't shoot this for the challenge but I considered entering it. Then I took a closer look and thought it was too much like a snapshot, with too many distracting elements. I took it with the kit lens. Really just testing the camera more than anything else. Comments welcome as always.


Good expression and capture overall; as you said, the bowl is distracting from this as a portrait.


Thanks for the comment.
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